Card holder



' Jan. 5, 1937. I c. H; HoLMBERG 4 `2,066,887 l CARD HOLDER I Filed May 23,. 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l f gmiwbw CarlHHolmz/beg, l

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Patented Jan. 5, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CARD HOLDER Carl H. Holmberg, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application May 23, 1935, Serial No. 22,966 12 Claims. (Cl. 273-150) `This invention relates to the art of game boards, and more specifically to bridge or whist boards.

It is an object of this invention to provide a card holder for use in playing bridge,'whist, or

other card games.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a card holder arranged to hold four hands in such a manner that all cards are exposed and Vl0 with a separate receptacle for the cards in each suit in each hand.

It is another object of this invention to provide a card holder with means for normally exerting sufficient pressure on each card to pre- '1:5 vent its falling out of place in case the board is placed on edge, or to prevent its being blown away in case the board is used outdoors.

It is a further object of 4this invention to provide a card holder which will permit the user or users to arrange the cards in any desired order,

play them, and then restore them to their origi- `nal position withoutre-sorting when-the game has been completed.

With the above and other objects in view, which will be apparent as the description proceeds, I have set forth my invention in the following specification and have illustrated it in the accompanying drawings, in which: Y Y

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved bridge board; Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are transverse sections on the lines 2'-2, 3-3, and 4-4, respectively, of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of one of the panels showing a resilient member attached thereto;

w" Fig;` 6 isa diagrammatic view of a modified formrof'b'oard adapted for duplicate bridge or whist; and

`\ Figs. 7, 8'and 9 are transverse sections on the lines 1-1, 8-8 and 9-9, respectively, of Fig. 6.

w Referring tothe accompanying drawings, and

particularly Fig. 1 thereof, I0 illustrates my improved card holder or game board.

The board preferably vcomprises a central portion II, and a framework I2, the former comprising a seriesof panels I3, I`3' and a plurality of spacingblocks I4, 15,18, I1, I8 and 20.

The panels are arranged in four groups of four panels each, one of said groups being arranged at each side of the board for the respective positions of north, east, south and west.

As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, each of the panvels I3 is preferably of rectangular shape With its long edges 2l inclined with respect to its upper and lower faces, the angle of inclination of said edge portions being such that, when cards I3. On their other internal side, spacing blocks are arranged between adjacent panels, or between a panel and the adjacent spacing block I6, I1, I8 or 20, the cards will face a given side of the board and the backs of the cards will form an acute angle with the board. 5 1

Panels I3 are similar to panels I3, except that their rear edges are preferably at right angles to their upper and lower faces, and are provided with tongues 23 for engagement with` corresponding grooves 24 in spacing blocks I4, I5 and I8 l0 and in the framework I2. The short edges of each panel I3, I3 are provided with tongues 25 for engagement with corresponding grooves (not shown) in spacing blocks I4, I5, I8, and I1, and grooves 26 in spacing block I8 and in the frame- 15 work I2.

The spacing blocks I4, I5, I8, I1 and I3 are preferably similar and of any convenient shape, which is herein shown as being square. I prefer to have spacing blocks III, I5, I6 and I1 pron vided with tongues 21 on their two external sides to engage grooves 26 in the framework I2, and with grooves (not shown) on one of their internal sides to receive the tongues 25 on panels I3,

I4 and I5 are provided with the grooves 24 to receive the tongues 23 on panels I3', and spacing blocks I6 and I1 are each provided with an inclined edge 2l for cooperation with the corresponding inclined edge 2I of a panel I3.

Spacing block I8 is provided on two parallel sides with the grooves 26, onits third side with the groove 24', and on its fourth side with an I inclined edge 2I.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, I prefer to cut away 35 the forward portion of tongues 25 on the forward panels I3 where they engage spacing block I8, and the rear portion of the tongues 25 on panels I3', to prevent the restriction of their movement which would otherwise result from the 40 abutment of the tongues on adjacent panels.

As illustrated in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5, a resilient member 30 is attached to the projecting tongue 23 of the rear panel I3 in each group by a screw 3|. Resilient members 30' normally lie partially 45 within the grooves 24 of the spacing blocks I 4,

I5 and I8 andthe framework I2 and partially in the spaces within which the panels I3 are movable. The grooves 24 are deep enough to permit the tongues 23 to engage therein when 50 the resilient members 38 are compressed as here inafter explained.

As shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the framework I2 is provided with overhanging flanges 32 and 33 at its top and bottom in order to receive a bottom 55 member 34 and to securely hold the panels and spacing blocks in place.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, all of the panels I3, I3 are preferably arranged with their long edges parallel, in order that they may face the position of the person who is playing the cards 35, when the board is used for the playing of practice hands.

It will be obvious, however that where desired the panels may be so arranged that the cards at each position of the board-north, east, south and west-will face that side of the board as illustrated in Fig. 6, so that the board may be used in playing duplicate bridge o-r whist.

Where the duplicate bridge or whist board is arranged for four players as in Fig. "6, the panels I3, I 3 and the spacing block 20 for each of the four players will be arranged just as they were arranged opposite south in Fig. l. when the cards 35 are mounted on the board of Fig. 6 those constituting each hand will face the player whose cards they are.

As shown in Figs. 6-9, in this embodiment of my invention, there is a central portion II provided with a framework I2 that has overhanging flanges 32 and 33 and a bottom member 34 like the corresponding parts shown in Figs. 1-4. The short edges of panels I3, I3 are provided with tongues for engagement with corresponding grooves 24 in spacing blocks I4, I5', I6 and I'I, and panels I 3 are provided with tongues 23 on one of their long edges for engagement with corresponding grooves 24 in spacing block I8'. The spacing blocks I4', I5, I6 and II are also provided with tongues 21 on two adjacent edges for engagement with the grooves 24 in framework I2.

Spacing blocks 20 have tongues 21 on one ,long edge and on .both short edges Vfor engagement with the grooves 24 in framework I2 and in spacing blocks I4', I5', I6 and I'I. The other long edge of spacing blocks 20 and panels I3' and both long edges of panels I3 are inclined edges 2l.

A resilient member corresponds to resilient member 30 in the first form of my invention and is provided with a retaining screw 3|.

In this .embodiment of my invention, the spacing blocks I4', I5', I6 and I1' will preferably be alike with grooves 24 in two adjacent edges and with tongues 21' on the other two edges, whereas spacing block I8 will be provided with grooves 24 on all four edges.

Where the duplicate bridge or whist board is arranged for two players, one playing the cards for north and south, and the other playing the cards for east and west, the panels I3, I3 and the spacing block 20 for one player will be arranged as for north and south in Fig. 1, and those for the other player will be arranged so as to face his cards in the opposite direction. In other words, the board of Fig. l is used, but the panels for east and west are turned in the opposite direction from that shown in Fig. 1, and the tongues, grooves and springs for the east and west positions are arranged accordingly.

When it is desired to utilize my card holder, the cards and 35 are dealt or sorted in any desired manner into the four hands, and the cards in each hand are then sorted by suits with the cards of each suit arranged on end in a different pocket 36 or 36 between two adjacent panels, or between a panel and the adjacent spacing block I6, I1, I8 or 20 in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, or the corresponding parts in Fig. 6, at that position of the Consequently,

card holder, the pockets being of such a length as to permit of the insertion of all of the cards of a given suit in a given hand in one pocket of said card holder with all cards exposed to the person who is to pla-y them.

The cards are inserted in the desired pocket by exerting a slight pressure on the panel back of the pocket in which it is desired to insert the card, the pressure required being merely sufficient to overcome the slight pressure exerted by the resilient member 30, which pressure is immediately exerted against said cards when the player' removes his hand from the panel.

When the board is being used by a single player for playing practice hands, the cards will all be arranged facing that player. In the embodiments of my .invention adapted for duplicate bridge or whist, the cards will be arranged facing the respective players.

With the cards arranged for either type of play, the vhand will be played in the usual way. In playing practice hands, as each losing card is played it will preferably be tipped over into a horizontal position without removing from Vthe pocket, and the card which wins each trick will preferably be reversed in its pocket to expose its back in .an upright position. When the board is used for duplicate or four party play, the'cards will be exposed to all the Vplayers vas they are played, and will then be restoredjto the corresponding pockets, preferably in the Vmanner just explained. When all the cards'have been played, they can readily be restored to their original positions without re-sorting by merely reversing the positions of the winning cards in their respective pockets and arranging all of the cards on end as before.

It will, therefore, be obvious that I have provided a new and useful card holder or bridge board, which is adapted for playing practice hands, duplicate bridge or whist, or other card games, and'that cards that have Vbeen played may easily be restored to their original position, thus permitting a hand to be replayed a different way, if desired, or by a different player or group of players. It will also be obvious that, after a'hand has been played, or during the process of play, the number of tricks won by north, east, south Vand west can be seen at a'glance by the positions of the reversed cards.

Where desired, the cards maybe arranged in other ways, as they are played, to-show the ztricks Won by north, east, south and west.

Owing to the resilient pressure exerted against the cards when placed in the various pockets, it,

will be obvious that the cards will not be easily disarranged when the board is put down, either fiat or one edge, or when the Aboardis used youtdoors.

In the embodiments of my invention shown herein, the resilient member 30, or 30is a piece of flat spring steel secured at its center and with its ends bent backwardly, but it will be obvious that it may be of any other desired shape .or of any other suitable material, and it may 'be Yarranged in front of the foremost panel in each group instead of behind the rearmostspanel, or resilient members may be arranged in both places.

Although I have herein illustrated my invention as being embodied in a wooden card holder, it will be obvious that it may bemade of metal, cardboard, composition material, or any other desired material, and it may be of any. desired shape or size.

While I have herein illustratedmy invention.

as applied particularly to a card holder or bridge board, it will be obvious that, when desired, the number of pockets and the number of positions may be increased or decreased.

As many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, itis to be understood that I do not limit myself to the foregoing embodiments or description except as indicated in the following patent claims:

I claim:

1. A card holder comprising a plurality of card receiving pockets arranged in four groups of four pockets each, and means for resiliently retaining cards inserted in said pockets.

2. A card holder comprising a plurality of panels arranged in groups of four panels each, a framework for retaining said panels in predetermined relation, and resilient means for pushing said panels in a given group toward one another.

3. A card holder comprising a plurality of panels arranged in groups of four panels each,

spaces between the panels of each group, a framework for retaining said panels in predetermined relation, and resilient means for normally closing the space between adjacent panels.

4. A card holder comprising a framework, a plurality of panels `arranged therein at four different positions in said board to form four card receiving pockets at each position, and resilient means for retaining cards placed in said pockets.

5. A card holder adapted for playing practice hands comprising a framework, a group of panels arranged to provide four card receiving pockets at each of four positions, the edges of adjacent panels being inclined to tilt the cards received therebetween away from a predetermined side of said card holder, and means for resiliently retaining said cards in position.

6. A card holder comprising a framework, a plurality of panels arranged therein at north, east, south and west positions, respectively, to form four card receiving pockets at each position,

and resilient means for retaining cards placed in said pockets, the pockets of all four positions being arranged .parallel to one side of the board.

7. A card holder comprising a framework, a plurality of panels arranged therein at north, east, south and west positions, respectively, to form four card receivingpockets at each position, and resilient means for 'retainingy cards placed in said pockets, the pockets for north and south positions being arranged parallel to one side of the board, and the pockets for east and west positions being arranged parallel to the opposite side of the board.

8. A card holder comprising a framework, a

plurality of panels arranged therein at north, east, south and west positions, respectively, to form four card receiving pockets at each position, and resilient means for retaining cards placed in said pockets, the pockets of each position being arranged parallel to the corresponding side of the board. 9. The card holder of claim 6, in which the panels are so shaped that they support the cards placed therebetween in a position inclined away from the side of the board to which they are stated to be parallel.

10. The card holder of claim 7, in which the panels are so shaped that they support the cards placed therebetween in a, position inclined away from the side of the board to which they are stated to be parallel.

11. The card holder of claim 8, in which the panels are so shaped that they support the cards placed therebetween in a position inclined away from the side of the board to which they are stated to be parallel.

12. A card holder adapted for playing practice hands without re-sorting in order to replay the hands, comprising a framework, a plurality of panels arranged therein at four diierent positions in said card holder to form four card receiving pockets at each position, and resilient means for retaining' cards placed in said pockets.

CARL I-I. HOLMBERG. 

